Air cushion horse collar



May 26, 1936.

L. L VARDELL AIR CUSHION HORSE COLLAR Filed Dec. 2e, 1955 3mm Lannie l ZrieZZ Patented May 26, 1936 UNITED STATES AIR CUSHION HORSE COLLAR Lonnie L. Vardell, Puxico, Mo., assignor, by direct and mesne assignments, of one-fourth to J. H. Law and one-fourth to J. Briton Reasons, both of Puxico, Mo.

Application December 26, 1935, Serial No. 56,297

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a collar for horses or other draft animals, and it generally aims to provide a construction which is lighter, softer, cooler, will not cause sores on the shoulders of the animals, and will not be obnoxious to an animal having sores when the collar is applied, and even while the animal is being worked.

It is further aimed to provide such a non-irritating collar which may be inexpensively manufactured, which contains a pneumatic filling or cushion tube and which tube is insertable through an opening at the lower end of the collar proper.

It is still further aimed to provide such a construction wherein eyelets are provided on the free end of the pneumatic cushion and eyelets are provided adjacent the upper end of the collar, through which wires or the like may be passed to engage the eyelets of the cushioning tube for the purpose of drawing the tube into place.

The more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with accompanying drawing illustrating an operative embodiment. In said drawing:

Figure l is a front elevation of the improved cushion tube;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the horse collar, partly broken away showing the cushion tube in position therein;

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the cushioning tube and lining tube, partly broken away to disclose details; and

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure 2.

Referring specifically to the drawing, wherein like reference characters designate like or similar parts, l0 designates generally a horse collar proper, of any desired size, shape or material. It is shown as split at the top and adjustably secured together by means of a buckle II or any other conventional means. The leather or other plies or sheets forming the horse collar are secured together as by stitching as at [2 for example and which stitching is omitted at the bottom of the collar, leaving an opening I3. The collaris also shown as provided with a roll Hi.

The collar proper is hollow and adapted to be filled by a cushion l5 generally of U-shape, which cushion is preferably of rubber, pneumatic, and adapted to be filled with air under pressure through a conventional self-closing valve at It. Such cushion I5 is insertable through the opening l3 and the valve I6 is located at such opening as best shown in Figure 2. A flap l! is secured to the collar at one end only by stitching or the like as at I8, and isadapted to be disposed across the valve and opening l3. Such opening l3 may be closed by means of a lacing l9 passed through openings 20 in the Walls 2|, on opposite sides of such openings 20.

To facilitate the pulling of the legs of the cushioning tube I5 into place, the free end of each leg is provided with a tab or extension 22 having an opening or eyelet 23 therethrough. These openings or eyelets are adapted to be engaged by wires or hooks on the ends of wires, to pull the cushion in place and to facilitate the insertion of such wires into the collar, openings or eyelets 24 are provided therein on each side, adjacent the top.

Said openings 23 may be reinforced, if desired, in any suitable manner, as by means of metallic eyelets or rubber or other eyelets.

Between the cushioning pad l5 and the collar proper, I may optionally use a lining of fibrous or textile material either permanently or removably secured in place. Such lining or protecting material is preferably employed in the form of a tube as shown in Figure 3, conforming substantially to the shape of the cushion l5 and enclosing the same. Such tubular lining is designated 24 is open at 25, in alinement with the opening [3, and has a flap 26 on each side thereof. Such lining tube is also open at the top so that the tab 22 may project therethrough.

It will be noted that the legs of the cushion I5 taper and diminish in size in an upward direction and that the lining tube conforms in shape thereto, to the end that when the cushion is inflated or is drawn into place, it will necessarily pull the lining tube into place with it.

If desired, the body or cushioning element I5 instead of being pneumatic, may be made of sponge rubber, in which event the valve will be omitted but the construction will otherwise be the same.

It will be realized that the collar will rest lightly and softly on the neck of the draft animal, will not cause sores and will not irritate existing sores. The use of the device also eliminates the necessity of employing pads at times between the collar and the body of the animal.

. Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A horse collar having a hollow body and an opening at the lower portion thereof, a U-shaped cushioning member mounted in said body by insertion through said opening and filling the hollow thereof, the ends of said body having eyelets to facilitate engagement by a pulling instrument.

2. A horse collar having a hollow body and an opening at the lower portion thereof, a U-shaped cushioning member mounted in said body by insertion through said opening and filling the hollow thereof, the ends of said body having eyelets to facilitate engagement by a pulling instrument, and the body of the collar having eyelets therethrough adjacent the top through which the said instrument may be applied. 7 r

3. A horse collar having a hollow body and an opening at the lower portion thereof, a U-shaped cushioning member mounted in said body by insertion through said opening and filling the hollow thereof, a lining tube covering said cushioning member and insertable through said opening therewith, said cushioning member being a pneumatic tube having an inflation valve disposed at said opening, the ends of said tube provided with eyelets, and said lining tube having an opening in registry with the first-mentioned opening and 10 openings to permit protrusion of said eyelets.

"LONNIE L. VARDELL. 

